SIMPLE STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES STUDENT S STUDY GUIDE THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY 1 TIMOTHY. Dr. Stanford E.

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1 1 SIMPLE STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES STUDENT S STUDY GUIDE THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY 1 TIMOTHY Dr. Stanford E. Murrell Paul Writing to Timothy

2 2 THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY Written AD 65 or 66 1 TIMOTHY 1 Divine Author: God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16) Human Author: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ Purpose: To encourage Timothy to combat heresy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3, 18; 4:12-16), and to instruct him how to behave in the House of the Lord (3:15) Background: Acts 20: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 1:1. Only since 1726 has the church called some of Paul s writing s, The Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus). Paul Anton is the first person to use this term as Paul instructs Timothy on how to conduct his behavior in the care, and oversight of the local church. Titus is also a pastoral epistle. 2 Timothy is more of a personal epistle. All of the epistles were expected to be read in all the churches, for the truth of God is for all believers, and not just for a select few. 1:1. Paul, an apostle. Timothy knew that Paul was an apostle, and so did the church at Ephesus. What Paul is doing, is establishing his authority. He wants Timothy to pay close attention to what he has to say. 1:1 by the commandment of God. The idea of the freedom of the will was not an issue with Paul. This is an issue with many Arminians, and with secularist, but it is not an issue to those who embrace the doctrines of God. God is sovereign. He controls our hearts, our minds, and our wills. With Augustine we say, "Grant what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt" (Bishop of Hippo, ). It was the will of God that Paul be an apostle, and so God commanded what He willed. 1:1. God our Savior. It is God the Father who is the Author of our salvation. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the believer s hope, based on His redemptive work at Calvary. It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates the unbeliever s heart, thereby applying what the Father planned, and the Son has executed. 1:1. God our Savior. In none of his other epistles did Paul refer to God as Savior. Perhaps he did so here because the Romans were calling other men, savior.

3 3 Roman Saviors Scipo A Roman general was called, Our hope and our salvation. Aescapulus The god of healing was referred to as god of salvation, savior. Nero On copper coins Nero had printed an image of himself, with the inscription God and Savior. 1:1. God our Savior. F.W. Borum in one of his books speaks of a man who was an unbeliever, whose name was Rushworth. He had been a skeptic all his life. Finally, he resolved to read for an hour a day the book that he had so long derided. As he was reading along, he looked up, and spoke to his wife and said, Wife, if this book is right, we are all wrong. He continued to read. A few days later he looked at his wife and he said, Wife, if this book is right we are lost. And then a few days later he looked up to his wife and he said, Wife, if this book is right, we may be saved. And he was saved by God our Savior. So the apostle stresses that (S. Lewis Johnson). 1:1. Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope. This is a great title for Christ. He is our hope. Psalms 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. Edward Mote, c. 1834

4 4 Hope in Difficult Days Despite wars and the rumors of war, despite economic chaos in the economies of the world, despite the threat of a nuclear holocaust by North Korea in April, 2013, there is hope, in Jesus Christ our Lord. There have been other dark days in history. Tacitus wrote of the terrible conditions of the world during his time in history, "I am entering upon the history of a period rich in disaster, doomed with wars, rent with seditions, nay savage in it's very hours of peace. Four emperors perished by the sword. There were three civil wars. There were more with foreigners and some had the character of both at once. Rome wasted by fires, its oldest temples burned, the very capital set in flames by Roman hands, the defilement of sacred rights, adultery in high places, the sea crowded with exiles, island rocks drenched with murder. Yet wilder was the frenzy in Rome, nobility, wealth, the refusal of office, it's acceptance, everything was a crime and virtue was the surest way to ruin." The Christian looks at history, past and present, and says, The Lord Jesus Christ is my Hope. The Christian has hope in life and hope in death. 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 1:2. Timothy. Paul addresses this epistle to a young man named Timothy, who had been converted through the preaching of the apostle. Timothy was from the city of Lystra (Acts 16:1), a providence of Asia, which is now Turkey. 1:2. Grace, mercy, and peace. Here are three great words of redemption. The Christian has been given a new vocabulary.

5 5 1:2. son. genuine child. Greek, tekto, means, to beget ; teknon is someone who has begotten a child. By using the word son, Paul emphasizes Timothy s position in his heart as his own son, meaning that Timothy became his spiritual child. Paul met Timothy during his First Missionary Journey. One goal of every Christian should be to have spiritual children, and grandchildren, in the faith. The heart of young Timothy was open to receiving the gospel because, though his father was a Greek, his mother, Eunice, was a Jewish believer. His grandmother, Lois, was also a believer (2 Timothy 1:5). Despite his youth, Paul realized Timothy s gift as a pastor, and minister of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:16). In the providence of God, Timothy became a valuable assistant to Paul. Wanting to give no offense to the Jews he was seeking to minister to, Paul circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). Timothy was with Paul during his Second Missionary Journey. Leaving Lystra and Derbe, Timothy traveled with his spiritual father throughout Asia Minor, and on into Macedonia. In Berea, Timothy stayed with Silas to minister the Word (Acts 17:10-15). Later, both Timothy and Silas reunited with Paul in the city of Corinth. Timothy also went with Paul on the Third Missionary Journey. He was with Paul in Ephesus. Timothy is called Paul s helper (Acts 19:22). As a helper, Timothy was sent out on a missionary ministry of his own with another disciple, Erastus. The two went to Macedonia. Later, Paul established Timothy as the pastor at Ephesus. Later, when Paul was in his first Roman imprisonment, Timothy was with him (Philippians 2:19-23).

6 6 No Other Doctrine 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 1:3. Having left Timothy in Ephesus and moved on to Macedonia in northern Greece, Paul writes to him. 1:3. As I besought thee. Paul might have commanded, or demanded, but ever the gracious person, Paul simply pleaded with Timothy. Timothy: A Partner with Paul in Ministry My Fellow Worker Romans 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Our Brother 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philemon 1:1; Hebrews 12:23 Servant of Jesus Christ Philippian 1:1 1:3. Macedonia is in northern Greece. 1:3. charge. instruct. Timothy was an apostolic legate, or Paul s representative. Neither Timothy nor Titus were local pastors, as that term is understood today. 1:3. no other doctrine. Paul did not want Timothy to teach novelties. It is dangerous to teach something contrary to the historic Christian faith. There is a tendency in human nature to become bored with the historic faith and have an eureka moment, resulting in new teachings which are contrary to the faith, and which other Christians have never heard of. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The prohibition against novelties is different from those times in the Christian church when a great biblical doctrine comes with freshness, and a new significance. In the fourth century, when Augustine rediscovered the doctrine of grace, it was a special moment for the church. When the Reformation came in October, 1517, the church was blessed. But the doctrines renewed were not novelties. Forbidden Novelties 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1:4. It is possible to hold Christianity in the wrong kind of spirit.

7 7 Characteristics of Heresy Speculative intellectualism 1 Timothy 1:4; 6:4; Titus 3:9 Intellectual pride 1 Timothy 6:4 Asceticism 1 Timothy4:4-5; Titus 1:15 Immorality 2 Timothy 3:6; 4:3; Titus 1:16 Greed Titus 1:11 Argumentativeness 1 Timothy 6:20; Titus 3:9 Legalism (based on the Law) 1 Timothy 1:6-7 False teaching 2 Timothy 2:17-18 Gnosticism, a philosophy of knowledge, was characterized by these traits of heresy. The Gnostics believed that matter was eternal. Not only was God eternal, but matter was eternal. This set up the concept of dualism. According to Gnosticism, matter was evil. It was eternal, and it was evil. Therefore, the Gnostics reasoned, there must be aeons, or emanations, which proceeded out of the holy God in heaven, much like concentric circles are formed by throwing a pebble in the water. This presuppositional reasoning led the Gnostics to think that Jesus Christ was one of the aeons, for each aeon had a name, and each aeon had a biography, and thus a genealogy. For the Gnostics, the real key to salvation was to know the aeons, these divine emanations, these demiurges, and their biography, and their genealogies, and through this knowledge come to know truth. So there was much speculation, and endless arguments, over genealogies and their significance. All of this produced a spiritual elite for those who proclaimed to understand. In their arrogance, the Gnostics divided individuals into categories. There was the natural man, a reference to the person who did not understand what the Gnostics were trying to say, and there was the spiritual man. The spiritual man was the one who embraced the teachings of the Gnostics. This twofold division finds a counterpart in Paul s teaching about the Natural Man, and the Spiritual Man of Romans 7. The Gnostics also had no place for genuine holiness of life, or the cross of Jesus Christ. In this, they were quite different from those in the Christian community. Characteristics of a Christian A lover of the Lord Jesus Christ A concern for holiness of life An appreciation for the Cross of Calvary Oswald Chambers said, "All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ. All hell is terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore it." The Christian does not ignore the Cross.

8 8 1:4. fables. Greek (muqos, muthos, myth ), referring to a tale, a fiction (study Judges 9:8-15; 2 Kings 14:9). In the New Testament, the term fable is used to speak of a falsehood, or a cleverly devised tale. 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Modern Day Novelties Christian Science Mormons Dispensatialism Scientology The New Age Movement Hare Krishna etc. 1:4. minister. render. 1:4. questions endless specualations. 1:4. edifying. The Greek word here is dispensation (oikonomia oikonomia (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah), referring to the administration (of a household or estate); specifically, a (religious) "economy". What Paul is saying is that religious fables, and striving over genealogies promote controversy, rather than God s purpose in redemption, and God s saving plan in faith. The Purpose of Paul s Charge 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1:5. Now the end. The goal of the charge to Timothy is not to teach anyone fables, or myths, but love. Sometimes love must express itself in a gospel rebuke. Timothy is to rebuke false teachers because of godly love for the truth and for the church. All biblical doctrine will lead to Christian love, the sacrificial kind of love which is illustrated in the heart of God, by the giving of His Son. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 1:5. out of a pure heart. Jesus said, Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 1:5. a good conscience. When a person is able to examine their life without feeling guilty, that is a good conscience. 1:5. faith unfeigned. This refers to a faith which is unhypocritical. There is an authentic faith. There is a Christian faith that works through love. Dr. S. Lewis Johnson provides his expanded translation of this verse saying,

9 9 "Timothy, I'm giving you this charge, not simply that you shall slay the false teachers, but that out of your exhortation and charges there should come true Christian love, which incidentally, can only come through, of course, good teaching of the word of God." The Final Fate of the False Teachers 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 1:6. swerved. Greek, (a stoxe w astocheo), to miss the mark, i.e. (figuratively) deviate from truth. This word means to fail. The false teachers have failed to lead people to the truth of God. 1:6. vain jangling. A reference to empty babble, meaningless random talk. This is true of most false teaching and liberal theology. It is very difficult to comprehend what is trying to be said. There is a lot of words, but no real sense. 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1:7. desiring. Characteristics of the Mind of the Heretics and the Mind of the Christian Thinker The Heretic The Christian Thinker A desire for novelty A desire to present a divinely historic faith Exaltation of the intellect Appeals to the mind and emotions Enjoys argument more than action Is a doer of the Word of God and a hearer Arrogance Has a good conscience and a pure heart Dogmatic and unteachable Always learning, always reforming The Place of the Law in the Life of the Believer 1 Timothy 1: But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 1:8. the law is good. Martin Luther believed the Law of God as expressed in the Old Testament, was useful politically. The Law could help establish secular righteousness. The principles of government found in the Law are useful for national, state, and local governments to help organize and regulate society. A second use of the Law was to bring individuals to Christ by the convicting ministry the Law contained. This theological usage of the Law brought individuals to a knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Luther believed the Law was to be preached first, and then the gospel.

10 10 A third use of the Law was introduced by John Calvin, and other Reformers called the normative use of the Law. The thought is that the Law not only guides civil and political government, not only does it bring conviction of sin, but the Law is to be a normative guide for Christians who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In particular, the Ten Commandments must guide Christian conduct. The Reformers conceded that the Christian is not to be under the Law, especially those social and ceremonial provisions of the Law, the Moral code laid down eternal principles of conduct for Christian living. The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV 1 st Commandment. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2 nd Commandment. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments. 3 rd Commandment. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 4 th Commandment. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. 5 th Commandment. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God giveth you. 6 th Commandment. You shall not murder. 7 th Commandment. You shall not commit adultery. 8 th Commandment. You shall not steal. 9th Commandment. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10 th Commandment. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.

11 11 1:8. if a man use it lawfully. It is possible to use the law in an unlawful manner. For example, if I were to teach that a person is saved by keeping the Law, that would be using the Law unlawfully. 1:8. if a man use it lawfully. The apostle teaches there is a lawful use of the law. The challenge is to reconcile this concept with what Paul wrote to the church of Rome where he teaches that Christians are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. In Romans 7 Paul teaches the same truth, we who have died with respect to the Law, live in a new sphere of life being guided by the Holy Spirit. Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. The question remains: What is the lawful use of the Law? One proper use of the Law is to remind everyone of the holiness and righteousness of God. Both the Tabernacle, and then the Temple, stressed the holiness and righteousness of the Lord. Second, the Law is used to remind the believer to be holy, for God is holy. A spiritual life thus fulfills the righteousness of the Law as holiness is produced in the believer. Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If we are constantly breaking the Ten Commandments, then that is a testimony that we are not being led by the Holy Spirit. 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly [godless] and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:9. is not made. is not valid. Notice, the text says that the Law was made. The Mosaic Law was made several hundred years after God made His covenant with Abraham. Why was the Law made? The Law was preparatory. The answer is that the Abrahamic Covenant was a Covenant of grace and blessing. It did not emphasize sin. Therefore, at Mt. Sinai, God made the Law in order to convict individuals of sin in order to lead people to repentance, and prepare them for the coming of the Redeemer, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Law was provisional. After the death of Christ, God tore the curtain in the Temple in two and did away with the whole ceremonial system, allowing man to have direct access into the Holy of Holies, into direct fellowship with Himself. Halleluiah! What a Savior! So the Law did not disannul the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:11-19), nor was the Law meant to be permanent. With the coming of Christ the Law was done away with, because the Holy Spirit was given to take the place of the Law to guide the life of the believer. This guidance by the Holy Spirit allows the believer to operate under a higher law, the law of the life of the Spirit in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). The Law was a unity. If a person broke one part of the law, he broke it all. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

12 12 The Law was never intended to be used as a basis of salvation. Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Eight Reasons why God Gave the Law God gave the Law in order to give the knowledge of sin. Galatians 3:19; Romans 3:20 God gave the Law to stimulate sin. Romans 7:9-13 God gave the Law to restrain sin. Exodus 20:1-10 God gave the Law to reveal the evil nature of sin. Romans 7:13 God gave the Law so that grace might more abound. Romans 5:20 God gave the Law to make men guilty. Romans 3:19 (i.e., liable to judgment; liable to punishment) God gave the Law to bring individuals to Christ. Galatians 3:24 (schoolmaster, a temporary trusted Greek slave) God gave the Law as a preview of good things to come. Hebrews 10:1 (the sacrifice of Christ, His priesthood, heaven, etc.) 1:9. the law is not made for a righteous man. In Pauline theology a righteous man was a just man, and that in turn referred to a justified man. A justified man was one that has acknowledged sin, and has turned by faith to rely upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the saving work of Calvary. The righteous man is the one who has a right standing before God. By way of application, you can be a righteous man or woman in the sight of God. This does not mean there is no sin, but it does mean that the penalty for sin has been paid for by the Lord Jesus, so that legally, in the sight of the Law, you are justified, you are declared righteous before God. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to your account. 1:9. ungodly. godless. 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 1:9-10. Paul describes the unjustified man. Jesus said, Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16), and so says Paul.

13 13 Exodus 20:1-17 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. The Law is Made for the Following Sins Against God Sins Against Commandments One through Four The lawless The disobedient The ungodly [godless] Sinners The unholy The profane Murderers of fathers Murderers of mothers Manslayers Sins Against the Fifth Commandment Sin Against the Sixth Commandment Sins Against the Seventh Commandment Whoremongers [fornicators] Those that defile themselves with mankind [homosexuals]

14 14 Sin Against the Eighth Commandment Men stealers [slave traders of kidnapped victims] Sins Against the Ninth Commandment Liars Perjured persons Any other thing that is contrary [opposed] to sound doctrine 1:10. sound doctrine. This word in the Greek text means, healthy, wholesome. (Study 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1). Paul had a strong concept of the perseverance of the saints. He believed that the saints would not act like an unjustified person. A Practical and Pastoral Word of Warning Many of you probably have people in your family who have made professions of faith, and you've wondered about them. Do not take the view that they are Christians who have backslidden if their departure from the faith has persisted over a long period of time, and their lives are characterized by disobedience to Scripture. It is much safer to take the view that their decision was not a genuine decision, and therefore, you may exhort them to be saved, to get saved, before it's too late (S. Lewis Johnson). 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 1:11. According to the glorious gospel. The gospel is very glorious for it tells us of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is glorious because it tells us about the blessed God. Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth. Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth. Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.

15 15 Fasting alone in the desert, Tell of the days that are past. How for our sins He was tempted, Yet was triumphant at last. Tell of the years of His labor, Tell of the sorrow He bore. He was despised and afflicted, Homeless, rejected and poor. Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, Writhing in anguish and pain. Tell of the grave where they laid Him, Tell how He liveth again. Love in that story so tender, Clearer than ever I see. Stay, let me weep while you whisper, Love paid the ransom for me. Fanny Crosby, 1880 Abounding Grace to the Chief of Sinners 1 Timothy 1: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 1:12. enabled. made me able. 1:12. putting me into the ministry. By putting Paul into the ministry, the apostle became an example of the gifts God gives to the church. Four Gifts of God for the People of God Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

16 16 Three Reasons for the Gifts of God For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Thomas Ken, :12. putting me into the ministry. The meaning here is that the Lord appointed Paul to spiritual service. In fact, every person who names the name of Christ has been appointed to spiritual service as a believer priest. Moreover, every Christian has been assigned, by God the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift to use in spiritual service (1 Corinthians 12:11). The nine gifts of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit enhance Christian ministry. Nine Gifts of the Spirit The Nine Fruit of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Galatians 5:22-23 The Word of Wisdom Love The Word of Knowledge Joy The Gift of Faith Peace The Gifts of Healing Longsuffering The Working of Miracles Gentleness The Gift of Prophecy Goodness The Gift of Discerning of the Spirits Faith The Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues Meekness The Gift of the Interpretation of Tongues Temperance Five Exhortations to Use All Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

17 17 2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. The First Reason for Obtaining Mercy 1 Timothy 1:13 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief injurious. insulting with violence. The Sins of Paul Blasphemy 1 Timothy 1:13 A Persecutor 1 Timothy 1:13 Assessor to Murder Acts 7:58 Injurious Acts 8:3-4; 9:1-2 Inordinate Anger Acts 15:37-40 Covetous Romans 7:7-9 1:13. I obtained mercy. The heart must see that salvation is of the Lord. A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son (Luis Palau, Experiencing God's Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984). 1:13. in unbelief. From a human perspective, Paul believed God s grace was shown to him in part, because what he did against the church was done ignorantly and in unbelief. From a divine perspective, Paul obtained mercy because he was a chosen vessel. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 1:13. I did it ignorantly. Paul says that he did not willfully sin against gospel light, though he was sinning. Paul sincerely thought he was doing God s work in fighting against the church. The words of the Lord at Calvary come to mind when Jesus prayed for those who were killing Him. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them [let them go]; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

18 18 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1:15 Christ did not come to save all people of all sin, or all would be saved. Many people, such as Judas Iscariot, do not go to heaven, but to their own place (Acts 1:25). Therefore the scope of the atonement is of necessity restricted to those souls that will ultimately, and finally, be saved. Five Faithful Sayings 1 Timothy 1:15 Concerning the saving of sinners 1 Timothy 3:1 Concerning pastoral service 1 Timothy 4:9 Concerning personal suffering 2 Timothy 2:11 Concerning the Christian s secret to living Titus 3:8 Concerning authentic sanctification 1:15. I am chief. the worst. This expression of the apostle s humility and what he understood about himself is not to be minimized. He was a great sinner, but found in Christ a great Savior. Jesus, what didst Thou find in me That thou hast dealt so lovingly? How great the joy that Thou hast brought, So far exceeding hope or thought! Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore; O make me love Thee more and more. The Presbyterian Hymnal, 1895 The Second Reason for Obtaining Mercy 1 Timothy 1:16 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1:16. I obtained mercy. Salvation is what God has done for us, not what we do for God. 1:16. pattern. The word speaks of an active display whereby something is going on. Paul s life shows the long-suffering of God. Paul s Doxology 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

19 19 1:17. God is invisible. He cannot be seen except through the person of Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). No idol can sufficiently convey the true nature and image of God. The incarnation is a necessity, for there to be a true image of God. 1:17. wise God. Not all of the ancient Greek manuscripts have the word, wise. The text reads, the only God. There is not a god of the Muslim, and a god of the Hindus. The only God is the God of Scriptures. When people say, I believe in God, the proper response is, Which God? The only God? The God of the Scripture? Four Divine Attributes God is Eternal God is Immortal God is Invisible God is Wise Waging a Good Warfare 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 1:18. charge. command. 1:18. which went before. which were made long ago. The reference refers to those predictions given by the prophets when Timothy was, in the beginning, given guidance with reference to his future service, in connection with the apostle (S. Lewis Johnson). 1:18. according to the prophecies. In the early church there were prophets. Are there prophets today? This is the question the church must answer today, for many individuals arise to give new revelation. 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 1:19. Hold faith. The way Timothy could hold to faith was by having confidence in God and by believing the revealed truth 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan [by excommunication or by apostolic authority, [Matt. 18:18], that they may learn not to blaspheme.

20 20 THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY Review Questions and Answers FIRST TIMOTHY Chapter One Student s Study Guide 1. What is the role of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in salvation? Answer. 2. What are three great words of redemption? Answer. 3. List three ways that Paul describes Timothy. Answer. 4. What are eight characteristics of heresy? Answer. 5. What did the Gnostics believe?

21 21 Answer. 6. List three characteristics of a Christian. Answer. 7. What is the lawful use of the Law? Answer. 8. List eight reasons why God gave the Law. Answer. 9. Why is the gospel glorious? Answer. 10. Write out Paul s Doxology. Answer.

22 22 Reflection and Discussion 1. Consider the mind of the heretic and the mind of the Christian thinker. What other characteristic would you add to each? 2. Discuss the place of the Law in the life of the believer. Is the Moral Law of God, summarized in the Ten Commandments, binding on Christians today? 3. Would you agree that the following groups are modern day novelties? Christian Science Mormons Dispensatialism Scientology The New Age Movement Hare Krishna 4. What is a proper response to those who insist that, since there is no such thing as the Moral Law to be distinguished between the Social Law and Ceremonial Law, the totality of the Law is not binding on the Christian today? 5. Do all of the spiritual gifts operate today, or, have some of them ceased to exist? 6. Does a Christian, individually, or the church, collectively, have the spiritual authority to deliver someone unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme? Heart Work: Personal Application 1. The Lord, He is my God. I have no other gods in my life. 2. I do not have any idols in my life. 3. I do not take the name of the Lord God in vain. 4. I remember the Sabbath Day and I keep it holy. 5. I honor my father and my mother. 6. I do not commit murder outwardly, or in my heart.

23 23 7. I do not commit adultery. 8. I do not steal. 9. I do not bear false witness against my neighbor. 10. I do not covet what my neighbor has. 11. I do not live a lawless life. 12. I know that I have obtained God s mercy. 13. I am waging a good warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. 14. I have a good conscience before God. Scriptural Memorization Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

24 24 1 TIMOTHY 2 A Manuel of Church Order Concerning Supplications, Prayers, and Intercessions 1 Timothy 2:1-3:16 1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2:1. I exhort. The apostle Paul was a great believer of structure. His exhortations form the basis for a Manuel of Church Order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. 2:1. first. most importantly. Basic Bible Doctrines in 1 Timothy 2 Doctrine of the Local Church 1 Timothy 2:1-3:16 Doctrine of the Christian and the State 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Doctrine of Monotheism 1 Timothy 2:5 Doctrine of Salvation and Sanctification 1 Timothy 2:4 Doctrine of Faith and Reason 1 Timothy 2:4 Doctrine of the Mediation of Jesus Christ 1 Timothy 2:5 Doctrine of the Atonement: Voluntary, Substitutional, Penal 1 Timothy 2:6 Doctrine of the Atonement: Its Design 1 Timothy 2:4, 6 Doctrine of the Atonement: What Should be Preached 1 Timothy 2:6,7 Four Obligations of Christians for All Men Supplications Prayer directed toward some specific need Prayers Prayer in worship for it is directed toward God Intercessions Prayer of intercession with a petition before a king Giving of thanks Prayer of appreciation Does All Mean All? 2:1. all men. The word all often refers to all without distinction, not all men without exception. A universal expression must be understood in context. Paul is talking about classes, or groups of men, whether bond or free, Jew or Gentile, kings or peasants. Not all men without exception have heard the gospel, and yet, we read that salvation has appeared to all men. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

25 25 Justification unto life has not come upon all men, and yet we read the words of Paul s epistle to the Romans. Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Not all men sought for the Lord Jesus Christ, and certainly not in the same positive way. Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. Not every single person marveled at the great works of Jesus Christ, and yet we read that all men did marvel. Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Not everyone counted John a prophet. Certainly the Romans did not, nor did many Jewish leaders. Mark 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. The First Reason for Prayer 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 2:2. that. This word indicates the reason why Paul instructs prayer to be made for all types of men. Prayer will enable the believer to lead a quiet and peaceable life. Christians are not to be agitators. Believers are not to be community organizers, pitting one group of people against another. Christians are to be characterized by peace and quiet, in godliness and gravity. 2:2. honesty. gravity, respectability. When the church meets for worship, there ought to be gravity. Worship should be responsible and respectable. God is present. This principle should pertain even to the way we dress. The Second Reason for Prayer 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 2:3. good and acceptable. Paul s second reason for prayer for all kinds of men is that it is admirable in the sight of God. Tranquility enhances the promotion of the gospel. 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved. God would have all to be saved whenever He appoints the gospel to be preached, and the Holy Spirit to convict, and convert. However, God is under no obligation to draw all to Himself (John 6:44 cf. Acts 16:7).

26 26 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 2:5 Christ is a Great High Priest for His people. He mediates on their behalf so that sin is not charged to their account. 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 2:6 If God truly intended for all men without exception, to come to faith, then that would happen, for if anyone could ultimately resist God, He would cease to be the Sovereign. In context, Paul is speaking of all sorts or classes of men (note, v. 1, 2), which are identified. God would have all types of individuals come to faith, and they do. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not ;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2:7. verity. truth. Three Gospel Privileges of Paul Paul was ordained to be a preacher. Paul was ordained to be an apostle. Paul was ordained to be a teacher of the Gentiles. Special Note. Paul was ordained to be an author of Holy Scripture. Paul was ordained to be a martyr for the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 2:8. men pray. There are two familiar words in Greek that refer to men. There is the word anar, and there is the word anthropos. The term anthropos is often used as a generic term, referring to mankind, or it may refer to women. On the other hand, anar is used in contrast with a woman, or a man in contrast with a child. Anar is the term the apostle uses here in order to teach that in public worship, men should lead in prayer. 2:8. pray every where. Paul means, everywhere the church meets because in 1 Timothy 3:14 he will say, These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly. 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 2:8. holy hands. The character of the one praying is stressed. Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

27 27 2:8. doubting. disputing, questionings. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 2:9. In like manner. Women do have a role to play in the church in accordance with the Divine design. Women should attend the meetings quietly, to learn in submission, to show Christian modesty and virtue, and to do good works. 2:9. modest apparel. The emphasis is upon modesty and not ostentatiousness. This does not mean that women must look like something the cat dragged in. It is just as wrong to be ostentatious in a negative way by plain looks, and an unusual way of dressing, in order to call attention to one s spiritual distinctiveness. 2:9. broided. bradied hair. 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 2:10. good works. Charity works, works that meet needs. 2:10. good works. Good works would include using the spirit gift God the Holy Spirit has provided. Special Note. There are two classes of spiritual gifts. There are gifts that are gifts of utterance, such as the gift of evangelism, and pastor-teacher. There are gifts that are non-utterance, such as the gifts of administration, helps, and government. Women can have both types of gifts, those that are gifts of utterance, and those that are gifts of non-utterance. How Women Might Work in the Local Assembly Teach a Sunday school class for children. Conduct a home Bible study for ladies. Engage in acts of evangelism and outreach ministries. Promote musical programs. Encourage the homeschool movement. Organize ways to meet needs with food and finances. Be a good mother. Showing hospitality. Greeting ministry to sick and shut-ins. Home visitation and hospital visitation. Secretarial work in getting the gospel out.

28 28 Tape ministry and book printing ministry. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 2:11. learn in silence. In recent years, several denominations have begun to ordain women as priestesses. For example, in July, 1974, the Episcopal Church ordained eleven priestesses, even though it was illegal according to their Book of Church Order. Though there was an initial protest, by July 1976, the 72nd General Convention in Philadelphia passed a resolution declaring that "no one shall be denied access" to ordination into the three orders of ministry: as deacons, priests or bishops, on the basis of their sex. A second resolution declared that no one could be barred from participating in the life and governance of the church, either because of their gender, or because of their theological beliefs concerning the ordination of women. 2:11. learn in silence. learn without rebellion. What Paul is Not Teaching Paul is not teaching the superiority of men. He is saying that women have certain functions as men have certain functions. A successful society depends upon the exercising of these functions. Paul is not teaching men to be harsh in their attitude and treatment of women. Her father was stage and screen legend John Barrymore. Her mother was a successful actress. But her childhood was wretched, and her adult lifestyle filled with pain and sorrow. Without knowing true love and happiness, Diana Barrymore once said, I don t mind being punched. Playwright Noel Coward said that women should be strapped regularly, like a gong. Such is the sick thinking of secular society. Even some religions teach something terrible like that, such as the Muslim religion which is very demanding and demeaning on women. But Paul is not teaching harshness towards women. Paul is teaching a spiritual relationship based on a voluntary, godly submission, from a humble heart, and a grateful heart. In football, a running back is not more important than a good offensive line. In the body, the hand is no less important than the eye. In the matter of salvation, the Lord Jesus was assigned the function by the trinity, in the work of mediation, to rely wholly upon the Father. Nevertheless, the Son was equal with the Father, very God of very God. In matchless grace Jesus humbled Himself, and became obedient, even unto death. Submission is not a matter of inferiority. In the church, the public assembly is in view, and in the church, the women are to learn in silence, just like they did in the Synagogue. They were to worship without rebellion. The issue is function, not worth. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.